DUCATI ST3 (2003 - 2007) Review

Year: 2005

Annual servicing cost: £200

Bought mine second-hand with 28,000 miles to replace an aging k100 with electrical gremlins. It came with a dubious service history and fairings that hinted at a high-speed off. I remember thinking I was giving into emotion and paying far too much. 22,000 miles later, I can say it was worth every penny. It looks good, that is to say not like a bird or too much like a race replica or some fake desert racer. It's uniquely proportioned. It's light, nimble and plenty fast and it sounds really good at any rpm. If you are looking at this category of bike, there are options that will put down the highway miles with more comfort, but for an even mix of travel, twisties and commuting, there are few rivals. Now that prices are bottomed, you don't have to worry to much about how you treat it or where you park it.

Buying experience: I picked mine up from a private seller for $3500 usd, and immediately rode it 100 miles home.

Version: S

Year: 2006

Annual servicing cost: £300

Fantastic engine, easy to handle, and my first big bike

Buying experience: Bought it use to a bike collector.

Version: ST3S ABS

Year: 2006

Annual servicing cost: £200

It works best as a tourer, comfortable all day long. It's fun on a track, but it would need to shed a good few pounds and gain a few more horses to be a track weapon. It can work as a commuter, the mirrors make it a bit wide and it doesn't like hot summer days in stationary traffic. Worst thing about it is ground clearance when 2 up with luggage, it handles OK fully loaded but will grind the exhaust under the engine on the slightest of speed bumps.

Version: ST3s ABS

Year: 2007

The ST3s is extremely comfortable, you are able to ride for miles without any issues. The L-twin has plenty of torque to carry you, you're misses and luggage, although a few more ponies would be welcomed! The suspension is a bit soft, even after playing with the front and rear setup, which requires some learning since it has a lot of setup places to tamper with. It is the best Sport-touring bike I know of!

Buying experience: I bought it from a dealer for 4805£ with Ducati Performance mufflers, top case, panniers and mountings, pillion seat cover and smoked windshield.

Year: 2005

Annual servicing cost: £300

Underrated Gem. Comfortable fast smooth. My previous Honda VFR 800 was good, I can confidently say after 18 months/6000 miles of ownership this bike is even better. Just that bit more feel. Be careful as it picks up speed very quickly !

Buying experience: Bought privately. Generalisation maybe but bikes like this are owned by enthusiasts and as such looked after

Version: 2008 ST3

Year: 2007

So I always wanted a Ducati but needed something that my Senior Executive Manager in charge of fashion, soft furnishings, morals and social affairs could feel comfortable on as a pillion. This on the face of it met all those needs. Due to supplier issues later models (mine is a 2007 build registered in 2008) .the early models had Nofargo side panniers and later Givi top box. I managed to find the matching nofargo to make a handsome set and looks great. So far it's run very well having put 18,000 miles on it. I get great economy at sensible speeds and the management thinks the saddle is the best one yet. I love the Ducati big twin engine although it really does not like being hot on a hot day in slow traffic ans starts to misfire slighty. The mid range for me is amazing and I love the pull out of a twisty corner even fully loaded. I know that by Ducati standards it;s a bit pipe and slippers but it suits me perfectly. My only beef is the servicing costs but I knew what I was getting into and I have to say it's all worth it. Espaically as I use an independant specialist. Owning Ducati is not owning a motorbike, it's a passionate love affair. Maintain the relationship and it will stay a happy one. Neglect it and it will cause you pain.

Buying experience: Independant dealer in Ireland, got a great deal because he hates Ducati's and sees them as trouble. Great afterservice.

the season draws to a close up here in scotland so I thought I'd update my review on my ST3s ABS. The ST range is THE most expensive of the Ducati units to service, even more so than the super-sports. I was shown the OEM service price list by the Ducati Service Centre as the lady was most suprised! A major service is £353. I had a new set of tyres put on at the same time and saw barely any change from £600! A bike problem with this bike is the fuelling. The closed loop system combined with the Euro3 emissions requirement means it sufferes from snatchy throttle at low speeds and the need to ride the clutch round corners/roundabouts or suffer the dreaded '50p' look. It can also result in a lot of blowing back through the air box and stalling at idle once the bike becomes warm. Not even the Ducati Service Centre could solve it, as it's so integral to the ECU/O2 sensor loop. In the end it was solved only with the installation of a Power Commander and Lambda controller, with 6+ hours of dyno time and a custom map tweak. Worth it? YES!! I wish I had done it sooner. The bike is smooth, responsive and accelerates like a demon! What else would I change? The standard exhaust note - my last bike was a twin; a (1700cc) Yamaha MT01 with Akrapovic pipes. Now that sounded like a bike! My wife says the ST3 sounds like a lawnmower in comparison and she's right. Only after 5K rpm does it sound a little more throaty. I wish the OEM units had been blessed with a removable baffle. Overall though, despite being expensive to service, temperamental if left unused and difficult to source 'extras' for, she is a beauty. The paint is thick and creamy, the 21Ltr tank is fantastic, the Ohlins & ABS a must-have. She draws admiring glances as the sun shines off her bright red paintwork and dropping 'Ducati' into the bikes-you-own conversation turns others green with envy. Get the 'S' version with ABS if you can but, they are rare as pixie-shit, so expect to pay a premium - and no, you can't have mine!

Just got a clean 7K mile '07 ST3s, and 1,000 miles on I am enjoying it more than ever. Mine came with the factory paniers, and you do have to watch out for them as the bike is wider than you think when filtering with them fitted. The suspension is fully adjustable and proper setting is worthwhile. I set mine back to the default settings in the manual after my first ride out and have tweaked them since, and the ride is much better. Compared to some other sports tourers the equipment level is quite poor. On the other hand none of those are Ducatis, and they don't have that engine or that sound! If you can find one buy it, but make sure the belts have been done and budget around £750 for a service every two years!

Bought a 2005 ST3 one year ago and still love riding it. Use it every day on a short commute but also done a Winchester to Cornwall for the weekend !. It starts every time, I've loaded it with luggage (colour coded panniers came with it) & I've added a top box. For general riding / traffic filtering remove the luggage & swing the cans up (one bolt per can) and you've got a slim sports bike. Suspension is on the soft side and if you push it hard you will get slight steering wobble but if you use it for what its designed for then a 300 mile run is easy going added to 50-60MPG. The engine is lumpy below 3000RPM but accelerate above that and you're rewarded with a sound that is 'hell unleashed upon the world'. It really is two bikes in one, far sportier than a 'Pan' & far more comfortable than a 'Gixer'. Its 'clutch clatter' gets it noticed and even a guy in a 355 stopped & wanted a chat about it!. In conclusion I love it, its not perfect (but nothing is) but I'm pleased I bought it, what would I change it for..... god knows, maybe the S version.

Where's the one I submitted TWO YEARS AGO? It was on the old website!

Have it for 2 years and 37.000km whent to Hinckley in England on it and France and Spain use it for every day comute in center Lisbon, so far its a perfect all rounder, low maintenance also.